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the coming of a stranger into their lives out of their desolation of
the sand was unusualhad followed close upon the first dread。 Would
another such incident follow upon this second dread？ And of what was
this dread born？
Batouch drew her attention to the fact that they were coming to the
marketplace； and to the curious crowds of people who were swarming out
of the tortuous； narrow streets into the main thoroughfare to watch
them pass； or to accompany them； running beside their horses。 She
divined at once； by the passionate curiosity their entry aroused； that
he had misspent his leisure in spreading through the city lying
reports of their immense importance and fabulous riches。
〃Batouch；〃 she said； 〃you have been talking about us。〃
〃No； Madame； I merely said that Madame is a great lady in her own
land； and that Monsieur〃
〃I forbid you ever to speak about me； Batouch；〃 said Androvsky；
brusquely。
He seemed worried by the clamour of the increasing mob that surrounded
them。 Children in long robes like night…gowns skipped before them；
calling out in shrill voices。 Old beggars； with diseased eyes and
deformed limbs； laid filthy hands upon their bridles and demanded
alms。 Impudent boys； like bronze statuettes suddenly endowed with a
fury of life； progressed backwards to keep them full in view； shouting
information at them and proclaiming their own transcendent virtues as
guides。 Lithe desert men； almost naked； but with carefully…covered
heads； strode beside them； keeping pace with the horses； saying
nothing； but watching them with a bright intentness that seemed to
hint at unutterable designs。 And towards them； through the air that
seemed heavy and almost suffocating now that they were among
buildings； and through clouds of buzzing flies； came the noise of the
larger tumult of the market…place。
Looking over the heads of the throng Domini saw the wide road opening
out into a great space； with the first palms of the oasis thronging on
the left； and a cluster of buildings； many with small cupolas； like
down…turned white cups； on the right。 On the farther side of this
space； which was black with people clad for the most in dingy
garments； was an arcade jutting out from a number of hovel…like
houses； and to the right of them； where the market…place； making a
wide sweep； continued up hill and was hidden from her view； was the
end of the great building whose gilded cupolas they had seen as they
rode in from the desert； rising above the city with the minarets of
its mosques。
The flies buzzed furiously about the horses' heads and flanks； and the
people buzzed more furiously； like larger flies； about the riders。 It
seemed to Domini as if the whole city was intent upon her and
Androvsky； was observing them； considering them； wondering about them；
was full of a thousand intentions all connected with them。
When they gained the market…place the noise and the watchful curiosity
made a violent crescendo。 It happened to be market day and； although
the sun was setting； buying and selling were not yet over。 On the hot
earth over which； whenever there is any wind from the desert； the
white sand grains sift and settle； were laid innumerable rugs of gaudy
colours on which were disposed all sorts of goods for sale； heavy
ornaments for women； piles of burnouses； haiks； gandouras； gaiters of
bright red leather； slippers； weaponsmany jewelled and gilt； or rich
with patterns in silverpyramids of the cords of camels' hair that
bind the turbans of the desert men； handkerchiefs and cottons of all
the colours of the rainbow； cheap perfumes in azure flasks powdered
with golden and silver flowers and leaves； incense twigs； panniers of
henna to dye the finger…nails of the faithful； innumerable
comestibles； vegetables； corn； red butcher's meat thickly covered with
moving insects； pale yellow cakes crisp and shining； morsels of liver
spitted on skewerswhich； cooked with dust of keef； produce a dreamy
drunkenness more overwhelming even than that produced by haschish
musical instruments； derboukas； guitars； long pipes； and strange
fiddles with two strings； tomtoms； skins of animals with heads and
claws； live birds； tortoise backs； and plaits of false hair。
The sellers squatted on the ground； their brown and hairy legs
crossed； calmly gazing before them； or； with frenzied voices and
gestures； driving bargains with the buyers； who moved to and fro；
treading carelessly among the merchandise。 The tellers of fates glided
through the press； fingering the amulets that hung upon their hearts。
Conjurors proclaimed the merits of their miracles； bawling in the
faces of the curious。 Dwarfs went to and fro； dressed in bright
colours with green and yellow turbans on their enormous heads； tapping
with long staves； and relating their deformities。 Water…sellers
sounded their gongs。 Before pyramids of oranges and dates； neatly
arranged in patterns； sat boys crying in shrill voices the luscious
virtues of their fruits。 Idiots； with blear eyes and protending under…
lips； gibbered and whined。 Dogs barked。 Bakers hurried along with
trays of loaves upon their heads。 From the low and smoky arcades to
right and left came the reiterated grunt of negroes pounding coffee。 A
fanatic was roaring out his prayers。 Arabs in scarlet and blue cloaks
passed by to the Bain Maure； under whose white and blue archway
lounged the Kabyle masseurs with folded； muscular arms。 A marabout；
black as a coal； rode on a white horse towards the great mosque；
followed by his servant on foot。
Native soldiers went by to the Kasba on the height； or strolled down
towards the Cafes Maures smoking cigarettes。 Circles of grave men bent
over card games； dominoes and draughtscalled by the Arabs the
Ladies' Game。 Khodjas made their way with dignity towards the Bureau
Arabe。 Veiled women； fat and lethargic； jingling with ornaments；
waddled through the arches of the arcades； carrying in their painted
and perspiring hands blocks of sweetmeats which drew the flies。
Children played in the dust by little heaps of refuse； which they
stirred up into clouds with their dancing； naked feet。 In front； as if
from the first palms of the oasis； rose the roar of beaten drums from
the negroes' quarter； and from the hill…top at the feet of the
minarets came the fierce and piteous noise that is the /leit…motif/ of
the desert； the multitudinous complaining of camels dominating all
other sounds。
As Domini and Androvsky rode into this whirlpool of humanity； above
which the sky was red like a great wound； it flowed and eddied round
them； making them its centre。 The arrival of a stranger…woman was a
rare； if not an unparalleled； event in Amara； and Batouch had been
very busy in spreading the fame of his mistress。
〃Madame should dismount；〃 said Batouch。 〃Ali will take the horses； and
I will escort Madame and Monsieur up the hill to the place of the
fountain。 Shabah will be there to greet Madame。〃
〃What an uproar！〃 Domini exclaimed； half laughing； half confused。 〃Who
on earth is Shabah？〃
〃Shabah is the Caid of Amara；〃 replied Batouch with dignity。 〃The
greatest man of the city。 He awaits Madame by the fountain。〃 Domini
cast